Back in the day, before the hype of streaming services came around, the primary source of entertainment for the general audience was their local cable subscriptions. Initially, streaming services only covered the world of movies and TV shows.
As they gained popularity, many new names started coming up in the market after Netflix, one of them being Hulu. Following the start of their service, Hulu took on deals with many new content providers to make additional content available to its viewers – such as live streaming your favourite matches. Although Hulu is only available to stream in the US, Canadian viewers can take the help of a VPN service to enjoy Hulu in Canada.
Hulu+ Live TV
Hulu initially gained popularity for its original content but kept adding more venues to scale the media and entertainment industry. In 2017, Hulu + Live TV was launched, including live streams of over 75 channels, including five major broadcast networks – ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox and The CW. The service also offers Discovery Networks and Paramount Networks.
Along with Hulu + Live TV subscriptions, subscribers also get access to Disney+ and ESPN+ at no additional cost making it an excellent deal for the customer as they get to enjoy three services for the price of one. They are also provided with the facility of unlimited DVR and streaming simultaneously on two devices.
Regional Sports Networks Available on Hulu
In the US and Canada, Regional Sports Networks – or RSNs are cable TV channels that hold the rights to broadcast major sports teams to a local market within a geographical region. RSNs are typically more expensive than other channels, as a percentage of that money is paid to local and regional teams for the right to broadcast their games.
Most of the RSNs in the US are owned either by Bally Sports or by the NBC Sports Regional Networks. An RSN can carry multiple individual channels; however, they are not authorized to make that content available nationally. Each cable subscriber has to find an RSN channel that covers their specific locality.
Regional Sports Networks Available on Hulu + Live TV
Hulu + Live TV has RSN channels in seven areas from two companies, namely; NBC Sports and SportsNet.
NBC Sports
NBC Sports is a division of the broadcast network NBC, owned and operated by the NBC sports Group division of NBC Universal and is a subsidiary of Comcast.
It broadcasts sports on the network and carries dedicated national sports cable channels. It carries a wide variety of sporting events, including Major League Baseball, the French Open, the National Football League and more.
NBC Sports Bay Area
This was established in the year 2008, and it covers the San Francisco Bay Area along with Northern and Central California, parts of Southern Oregon and Northwestern Nevada. The channels hold broadcasting rights for
· the Golden State Warriors (NBA)
· San Francisco Giants (MLB)
· San Jose Earthquakes
· Local coverage of the West Coast Conference (NCAA)
NBC Sports Boston
Established in the year 2007, it covers Massachusetts, eastern and central Connecticut, Vermont, Maine, New Hampshire and Rhode Island. The channel has broadcasting rights for
· Boston Celtics (NBA)
· Maine Celtics (NBA G League)
· New England Free Jacks (MLR)
· New Hampshire Wildcats (NCAA)
NBC Sports California
It was established in 2004 and covered the same areas as NBC Sports Bay Area. It broadcasts games for
· Oakland Athletics (MLB)
· Sacramento Kings (NBA)
· San Jose Sharks (NHL)
· San Jose Earthquakes
NBC Sports Chicago
It was established in the year 2004 and covers the Chicago Metropolitan Area, Northern and Central Illinois, southern Wisconsin and Indiana – except areas near Cincinnati, Evansville and Louisville. They hold broadcasting right for
· Chicago White Sox (MLB)
· Chicago Blackhawks (NHL)
· Chicago Bulls (NBA)
· Chicago Sky (WNBA)
· Chicago Bandits (NPF)
· Northern Illinois Huskies football (NCAA)
· Illinois State Redbirds basketball (NCAA)
NBC Sports Philadelphia
Established in the year 1997, it geographically covers Philadelphia metropolitan area, eastern Pennsylvania, southern and central New Jersey and Delaware. It carries the city’s pro teams
· Philadelphia Phillies (MLB)
· Philadelphia 76ers (NBA)
· Philadelphia Flyers (NHL)
· Philadelphia Eagles (NFL)
· Philadelphia Big 5 (NCAA)
· Atlantic 10 Conference (NCAA)
· Colonial Athletic Association (NCAA)
NBC Sports Washington
Established in 2001, it covers the district of Columbia, Virginia and Maryland, along with southern Pennsylvania, eastern West Virginia and southern Delaware. It broadcasts games from the
· Washington Capitals (NHL)
· Washington Wizards (NBA)
· Washington Commanders (NFL)
· Washington Mystics (WNBA)
· DC United
· Atlantic Coast Conference football and basketball (NCAA)
· Colonial Athletic Association sports (NCAA)
SportsNet New York
Multiple RSNs serve the New York metropolitan area, but only SportsNet New York airs live New York Mets games; this is because it is owned by the New York Mets and cable company Charter Communications.
It is available to stream in New York City and the surrounding areas of Connecticut, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania. You are also provided access to college sports from the Big East Conference, Ivy League and the University of Connecticut.
Other Sports Channels on Hulu + Live TV
You get access to over 75 channels on Hulu + Live TV, which includes all major broadcast, cable and sports networks. Along with this, you receive access to ESPN’s online content.
· ABC
· CBS
· CBS Sports Network
· ESPN
· ESPN2
· ESPNews
· ESPN
· ESPN College Extra
· Fox
· FS1
· FS2
· NBC
· TBS
· TNT
The bottom line is Hulu + Live TV subscription is an amazing deal special for sports fans as, along with the RSNs, they receive access to the content library of ESPN as well at a very affordable price of $68.99 per month.
